Interlocking frame for stands and the like.



H. E. DECKER.

INTERLOCKING FRAME FOR STANDS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2. 1914.

1 209,679. Patented Dec. 26, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W/TA/ESSES W MIA/v l/VVENTOI? Mi? W ATTORNEY.

H. E. DECKER.

INTERLOCKING F RAME FOR STANDS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-2,1914.

1 $209,679. Patented Dec. 26, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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paihll oration.

INTERLOCKING FRAME FOR SITANDS AND THE LIKE.

Application filed September 2, 1914.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD E. DECKER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cynwyd, in the county of Montgomery and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Interlocking Frame forStands and the like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in interlocking frames for standsor other devices. 1

One form of my invention, shown herein merely as an example of the same,is especially adapted to form a support upon which to rest a baby whiledrying it after its bath.

The invention comprises a suitable frame, means for automaticallylocking the device in required position, a supplemental or positivelook, a fabric top or support in the specific example shown, and otherdetails of construction.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a foldingstand in the open position. Fi 2 is a perspective view in the closedposition. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail of the locking means andassociated parts. Fig. 1 is a partly sectional view of same. Fig. 5 isan nd elevation of the frame sections shown in Fig. 3, in the closedposition. Fig. 6 is a similar view in the open position. Fig. 7 is aside elevation of the outer of the two elements shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 8is a rear end elevation of the same element. Fig.9 is a rear endelevation of the inner of the two elementsshown in Fig. 5. Fig. 10 is aside elevation of the same element. Fig. 11 is a section on 11-11 ofFig. 3. Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional detail on 12 12 of Fig. 8.Fig. 13 is a partly sectional view of the frame sections shown in Fig.6.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views. Ir

The framework of my improved stand comprises the two interlocking frames16 and 17, formed preferably from round metallic rods to form side, topand bottom extensions as shown. Substantially midway of the sideextensions 18 of frame 16 there are provided the hinge elements or disksand 21, aperture'd at 22 and 23to receive rod 2% and provided with theshort tubular extensions 27 receiving the ends of sides 18.

Side extensions 19 of frame 17 are similarly provided with cooperatinghinge elements 20 and 21, similarly apertured at 22 and 23 Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 26, 1916).

Serial No. 859,739.

to receive rod 24:, and are provided with tubular extensions 26receiving the ends of sides 19.

In assembling frames 16 and 17 one side extension of a frame is insertedbetween the side extensions of the other frame. The hinge element of oneframe thus engages the outer face of the cooperating hinge element ofthe other frame at one side of the stand, while at the other side of thestand the hinge element of the first frame engages the inner face of thecooperating hinge element. This is clearly shown in Fig. 3. Referringespecially to said figure, it will also be seen that the tubularextensions 26 and 27 project beyond the engaging faces of the hingeelements or disks, thus forming cooperating sockets or bearings for thedisks at each side of the stand.

The outermost disks, 20, are each provided on their inner faces with thecurved slots or grooves 28 adapted to receive pins 29 projecting fromthe faces of disks 21. Grooves 28 are cut into the faces of disks 20 atone end to a depth equal to the length of pins 29 and gradually rise tothe faces of their respective disks at the opposite ends of the grooves.The inclined surfaces of each pair of grooves are oppositely arranged.That is, the closed or deeper end of the groove at one side of the diskis diametricallv opposite the corresponding end of the groove at theother side of the disk, and the open or opposite ends of the two groovesare similarly disposed. To one side of the open end of each groove 28,in the arcof a similar I circle, there is provided in the disk face aport or recess 30 equal in depth to the length of pins 29.

As above stated, disks or looking elements 20 and 21 are apertured at 22and 23 to receive the ends of rod or axle 24. Rod 24 is threaded at eachend 31 to receive winged nuts 32 secured to disks 20 by short screws asshown, passing through the wings of said nuts. Slide elements or casings33 and 34: have a sliding fiton rod 2 1 and are secured to hingeelements 21 by screws 35 passing through wings 36 at the outer ends ofthe tubes.

Between end portion 37 of tube 33 and shoulder 38 forming an integralpart of said tube, there is provided the finger-grip 39 having theannular extension 40 loosely mounted on tube 33. Finger-grip 41 isrigidly connected to the outer end of enlarge d portion or casing 42 oftube 34. Within casing 42 there is provided the light spring 43 adaptedto bear at one end against end portion 37 of tube 33 and at the otherend against the outer end of casing 42. Casing 42 is provided at itsbottom with the longitudinally extending slot 44 into which finger-grip39 passes when grips 39 and 41 are pressed toward each othe against thetension of spring 43. One side of casing 42 is also cut away and has atapered contour as shown at 4.5 in Fig. 3, for a purpose to bedescribed. As means for limiting the manually operative movement of aslide element 1 provide rod 24 with the shoulder 48 for contact with aslide element.

The top 45 of the stand comprises preferably a strong piece of washablecloth or any suitable flexible fabric and may be detachably secured totops 46 of the frame by spring fasteners, as shown, or in any suitableway. When the stand is in the folded or closed position cover 45 willhang between the side extensions as shown in Fig. 2. Rods 47 serve asbraces for frames 16 and 17 and also to maintain top 45 between theframes when the stand is closed and in an inclined position. They mayalso serve as towel supports.

When the stand is in the closed position pins 29 of hinge elements 21engage in the deeper ends of slots 28 in hinge elements 20. As the standis opened pins 29 emerge from inclined grooves 28 and each pair ofcooperating hinge elements 20 and 21 is forced apart. hen the framesreach the relative positions shown in Fig. 1, pins 29 and recesses 30have come opposite to each other, and the two sets of hinge elements areautomatically forced together by the pressure of spring 43 against slideelements 33 and 34, pins 29 passing into recesses 30. The stand is thusautomatically locked in the open position.

When it is desired to close the stand, finger-grips 39 and 41 arepressed toward each other, moving tubes 33 and 34 with disks 21inwardly, the inner end of tube or member 33 sliding within casing 42 ofmember 34. This causes the withdrawal of pins 29 from recesses 30 andpermits sections 16 and 17 to be moved into the closed position; itbeing understood that in the movement of the two frame sections ineither direction a disk 20 turns with rod and a cooperating disk 21turns with its slide element 33 or 34 as the case may be, upon rod 24 atone side of the stand, while at the opposite side of the stand themovement of disk 21 with the rod-inclosing slide element is with and themovement of disk 20 in reverse direction to the movement of rod 24. Asframes 16 and 17 are pushed toward each other into the closed positionthe finger grips may be released. Spring 43 then moves members 33 and 34outwardly and pins 29 engage in the open ends of grooves 28 and passthrough said grooves to the deeper ends of the same, at which time theopposed faces of each pair of disks 20 and 21 come together andcorresponding frame sections of the two frames are brought together asshown in F 3.

As additional means for maintaining the stand locked in the openposition, fingergrip 39 may be given a quarter turn. This causes itto'bind against the inclined endportion 45 of casing 42 and the stand isthen further locked in. the open position and cannot be closed untilgrip 39 is turned back to its normal position in line with slot 44 incasing 42. In the event of wear between grip 39 and inclined portion 45of casing 42, nuts 32 on threaded ends 31 of rod 24 may be tightened tocause the correct adjustment between the grip 39 and easing In the useof my device the baby will be laid upon top 45 in position parallel withframe extensions 46. The mother or nurse mayibe seated with the kneesbeneath extensions 46 in such position as easily to reach the baby. Theslight sag or dip of the fabric top 45 will serve effectually to preventthe baby from rolling off of the stand and this sag or dip will befurther increased by the resiliency of frames 16 and 17 and anyelasticity of the fabric top. It will be understood that all danger ofinjury from the bumping of the childs head will be eliminated since theonly possible Contact of the head with the stand will be against support45 slung between top extensions .46 of resilient frames 16 and 17.

In the event of a failure to open the stand to its fullest extent, atwhich point it looks automatically, the first weight brought to bearupon top 45 will immediately open the stand to its fullest extent andcause its automatic locking in such position. It will also be understoodthat the base extensions 47 are of such a wide spread and present solong a bearing surface as to practically eliminate any danger of thestand toppling over.

What I claim is V 1. In a supporting structure, the combination ofcooperating frame sections, one sec tion movable relatively to another,locking means ope 'ating between frame section sides, one element ofsaid means provided with a groove deeper toward one end than toward theother and with a recess, and a cooperat ing element of said lockingmeans provided with groove and recess engaging means.

2. In a supporting structure, the combination of cooperating framesections, one section movable relatively to another, locking meansoperating between adjaeently disposed frame section sides, one elementof said means provided with a groove deeper toward one end han towardthe other and with a recess, a cooperating element of said locking meansprovided with groove and recess engaging means, and means forcontrolling the engagement between recess engaging means and recess.

3. In a supporting structure, the combination of cooperating framesections, one section movable about the axis of another, looking meansoperating between frame section sic es, one element of said meansprovided tion, recess and projection means of engagement betweencooperating hinge elements of cooperating frame sections, and meansbetween oppositely disposed frame section sides for disengaging saidengaging means.

5. In a supporting structure, the combination of cooperating framesections movable about a common axis, each frame section provided atopposite sides with a hinge element cooperating with a hinge element ofa cooperating frame section, recess and projection means of engagementbetween cooperating hinge elements of cooperating frame sections, a rodtransverse the frame sections, said rod connected at opposite ends tooppositely disposed frame section sides, and a slide element relativelymovable with respect to said rod secured to another frame section 'side.

6. In a supporting structure, the combination of cooperating framesections freely movable about a common axis, each frame section providedat opposite sides with a hinge element cooperating with a hinge elementof a cooperating frame section, recess and projection means ofengagement between cooperating hinge elements of cooperating framesections, a rod connected at opposite ends to oppositely disposed framesection sides, slide elements relatively movable with respect to saidrod secured to other frame section sides, and manually operative meansconnected with the slide elements for preventing the accidentalactuation of the same.

7 In a supporting structure, the combination of cooperating framesections of approximately equal dimensions movable about a common axis,each frame section provided at opposite sides with a hinge elementcooperating with a hinge element of a coop crating frame section, one ofsaid hinge ele ments provided with a groove in an are concentric withthe arc of movement of the frame sections about the common axis and witha recess, said groove deeper toward one end than toward the other, andthe hinge element cooperating with said last mentioned hinge elementprovided witi groove and recess engaging means, a horizontally disposedrod transverse the frame sections, said rod secured at opposite ends tooppositely disposed frame section sides, and slide elements secured atopposite ends to other frame section sides and movable in line with andin direction transverse the longitudinal extension of the rod.

8. In a supporting structure, the combina tion of cooperating framesections movable about a common axis, each frame section provided atopposite sides with a hinge element cooperating with a hinge element ofa cooperating frame section, one of said hinge elements provided withgrooves in an arc concentric with the arc of movement of the framesections about the common axis and with recesses between said grooves,said grooves deeper toward one end than toward the other and the deeperend of one groove toward the shallower end of the other groove, and thehinge element cooperating with said grooved and recessed hinge ele mentprovided with groove and recess engaging means.

9. A stand comprising cooperating frame sections of substantially equaldimensions movable about a common axis, each frame section comprising anintegral body having a substantially straight base-forming bottomextension and provided at opposite sides with a hinge elementcooperating with a hinge element of a cooperating frame section, recessand projection means of engagement between cooperating hinge elements ofcooperating frame sections, means for disengaging said engaging means,and a support.

10. VA stand comprising cooperating frame sections movable about acommon axis, auto matic locking means operating between adjacentlydisposed frame section sides, a rod transverse the frame sections, saidrod connected at opposite ends to oppositely disposed frame sectionsides, a. slide element relatively movable with respect to said rodsecured to another frame section side, and a support.

11. A folding stand comprising cooperating frame sections, one sectionmovable rel atively to another, a support carried by the frame sections,and means normally operative between the frame sections in response todownward pressure upon the support for automatically locking the standin the open position, whereby in use the accidental closing of the standwill be prevented.

12. A frame, hinge elements carried thereby at different points on theframe structure, cooperating hinge elements, a spring, recess andprojection means operating between adj acently disposed hinge elements,a rod operatively connected with the frame at opposite sides thereof,and slide elements connected with the rod and to a plurality of hingeelements.

13. Cooperating frame sections, hinge elements carried thereby atopposite sides of the frame sections, cooperating recess and projectionmeans operating between adjacently disposed hinge elements, a rodoperatively connected with the hinge elements, manually-operativespring-controlled slide elements carried by the rod and connected tooppositely disposed hinge elements, and means independent of the slideelement operating means for limiting the manually operative movement ofa slide element.

14:. Cooperating frame sections, hinge elements carried thereby atopposite sides of the fame sections, cooperating recess and projectionmeans operating between adjacently disposed hinge elements, a rodoperatively connected with the hinge elements, slide elements connectedwith the rod and to oppositely disposed hinge elements, a device carriedby one of said slide elements having a binding relationship with theother of said slide elements, and means for maintaining said bindingrelationship in the event of wear of the parts.

15. Cooperating frame sections, hinge elements carried thereby atopposite sides of theframe sections, locking means operating between adjacently disposed hinge elements, casings connected to oppositelydisposed hinge elements, one of said casings provided with a slot andadapted to receive a portion of the other casing, said slotted casingalso provided with an inclined portion, and a finger-grip engaging inthe slot in one position of the parts and, in another position of theparts, binding against the inclined portion of the slotted casing.

16. An infants toilet stand comprising two resilient frames pivotallyconnected intermediate their ends whereby they may as sume open andclosed positions, and a supporting-fabric for a reclining infant carriedthereby, said frames being capable of limited movement toward each otherabove their points of pivotal connection in response to the pull of theinfant-supporting-fabric and said fabric sagging downward between theframes lengthwise of the recumbent infant.

17. An infants toilet stand comprising cooperating fame sections, onesection movable relatively to another, an infant support of flexiblematerial carried by the frame sections and having a slight dip or sagtherebetween as means for preventing substantial movement of the infantfrom side to side, and a lock, automatically operative upon the movementof the frame sections into the open position, whereby the stand will beprevented from closing accidentally.

18. An infants toilet stand comprising cooperating frame sectionsmovable about a common axis, locking means operative between adjacentlydisposed frame section sides, said locking means comprising recess andprojection means of engagement automatically movable into the positionof locking relationship as the stand is opened, and a flexible supportslung between the frame sections. 7

19. An infants toilet stand comprising cooperating frame sections freelymovable about a common axis, recess and projection means of lockingengagement between adj acently disposed frame section sides, an infantsupport of flexible material adapted to be drawn nearly taut betweenoppositely disposed frame section sides when the stand is in the openposition and upon the locking engagement of the frame section sides,said support having in the open position of the stand a slight dip orsag as means for preventing substantial movement of the infant from sideto side, and means for controlling said recess and projection means oflocking engagement.

HAROLD E. DECKER. Witnesses Hownno S. OKIE, MAE HOFMANN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G.

